Lions: Three DE’s Detroit Should Target in Free Agency
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Lions were able to land arguably the leagues’ top defensive free agent less than a year ago. Here’s a look at who they should be targeting to play on the opposite side of Trey Flowers in 2020.
It appeared to be a tremendous offseason for Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn and his hand-picked head coach Matt Patricia. The duo was able to secure one of the top available free agents in Trey Flowers who had ties to Patricia from their New England days.
The Lions also added a plethora of other talented players to what was considered an already solid defense headlined by Damon Harrison, anchoring the middle of the defensive line. They added a corner, Justin Coleman, along with former pro-bowler Mike Daniels.
Everything starts in the trenches. If a team can stop the run, it turns balanced offenses into a pass-happy team. That’s when defensive coordinators are able to unharness their pass-rushers, allowing them to pin their ears back and get to the quarterback.
When the pass-rushers are turned loose, it’s a secondary that goes to work. When a secondary doesn’t have to cover receivers for an abundance of time, they can jump routes and attack the football, knowing the pass-rush will force a quick pass, meaning there is a much less opportunity to beat deep down the field.
The issue in Detroit?
They haven’t done any of this well in 2019. That’s not acceptable, and either is Matt Patricia’s 9-20-1 coaching record. For a defensive-minded head coach, we should expect a top-ten type defense. The Lions ranked 28th in total defense on the season.
In a pass-happy league, it’s imperative to have multiple pass-rushers. The Lions drafted Austin Bryant last year, but he’s just now getting onto the football field. Romeo Okwara led the team last season with 7.5 sacks has only produced 1.5 this season. Da’Shawn Hand is a player I had high hopes for, but he’s failed to remain healthy this season. He’s only made two starts in ’19; he’s failed to obtain a single sack.
Detroit’s pass-rush has been invisible all season long. When NFL QB’s have all day to throw, it doesn’t matter who it is, at this level, they will pick you apart.
It’s been Trey Flowers who’s graded out as Detroit’s top defender overall in 2019. He also leads the team with 7 sacks, tied with linebacker Devon Kennard.
Here are some notable names set to become available that won’t be listed on my list for multiple reasons. Some are on the back-end of their careers others such as Clowney will command way too much money.
Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah, Michael Bennett, and Robert Quinn.
Detroit needs to produce multiple double-digit sack achievers for this team to finally exceed expectations. Here are three players the Detroit Lions should look to adding via free agency this Spring, all of which would currently lead the Lions in sacks this season.
Note: In a perfect world the Detroit Lions would draft Ohio State’s Chase Young, but I don’t expect him to be available when the Lions are on the clock.